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Ben Barba released
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What would be going through cowboy Benny Barba's mind now? Would he take his actions back if he could? What will he do for work?
Beaves NQ
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Take Danny Weidler as you will but he addresses players being in the vicinity of the incident in this article today
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/ben-barba-s-questionable-reputation-catches-up-with-him-20190202-p50vbk.html
Two Cowboys players, TeMaire Martin and Justin ONeill, were in the vicinity. I’ve been told they tried to help to calm the situation. The club is angry that it’s been suggested they stood by and did nothing. A Cowboys insider told me they were stunned by Barba’s “five minutes of madness”.
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/ben-barba-s-questionable-reputation-catches-up-with-him-20190202-p50vbk.html
Two Cowboys players, TeMaire Martin and Justin ONeill, were in the vicinity. I’ve been told they tried to help to calm the situation. The club is angry that it’s been suggested they stood by and did nothing. A Cowboys insider told me they were stunned by Barba’s “five minutes of madness”.
Spiral
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Just goes to show that there’s nothing really to be gained speculating on who did what/when/where as it does no favours for anyone.
Read a piece by Mike Colman today where he brought up how this whole thing affects Barba’s wife and kids more than anything, and that the NRL has a duty of care to them. Well, unfortunate as it is, so does Barba. If any of us acted the same way in public as he allegedly did and our employers found out, do you really think they’d give two shits about what terminating our employment means to our family? He needs to move on, and find another way to provide for the family he has put through this mess. The NRL has given him multiple chances, at some point the cord has to be cut so that others might just learn from this.
We all have to make do with what we’ve got in life and find a way to get by without being coddled and thrown third/fourth/seventeenth chances. Welcome to the real world.
Read a piece by Mike Colman today where he brought up how this whole thing affects Barba’s wife and kids more than anything, and that the NRL has a duty of care to them. Well, unfortunate as it is, so does Barba. If any of us acted the same way in public as he allegedly did and our employers found out, do you really think they’d give two shits about what terminating our employment means to our family? He needs to move on, and find another way to provide for the family he has put through this mess. The NRL has given him multiple chances, at some point the cord has to be cut so that others might just learn from this.
We all have to make do with what we’ve got in life and find a way to get by without being coddled and thrown third/fourth/seventeenth chances. Welcome to the real world.
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Ben Barba’s partner wanted DV incident to remain ‘private’
THE mother of Ben Barba’s four daughters has pleaded with the North Queensland Cowboys not to sack him over an alleged public domestic violence incident at a casino, where he allegedly hurled rocks at her.
The Sunday Mail can reveal Barba’s partner Ainslie Currie was reluctant for the Cowboys to punt the player once crowned rugby league’s best.
The Cowboys sacked Barba on Friday after the incident at Townsville’s Ville Resort Casino over the Australia Day weekend.
He is now set to be rubbed out of the NRL forever and could also be charged by police.
Ms Currie – who had a bloodied face after another alleged domestic violence incident with Barba in 2013 – is understood to have claimed the latest matter was private, and had concerns about her family’s financial stability without Barba’s income.
But the Cowboys immediately terminated Barba’s $300,000 contract after seeing CCTV footage of the incident.
The Sunday Mail can reveal the couple, who had spent more than seven hours at the casino with several Cowboys players and partners, caught a taxi moments after the incident.
It is understood police and the NRL’s integrity unit will investigate three alleged incidents including a heated verbal exchange in the pool area in front of hotel guests, several Cowboys players and their partners, an alleged physical clash inside the casino that was caught on CCTV, and an alleged clash in the car park before they got into the taxi.
Barba and Currie remain together, and were spotted having lunch the next day with their young family.
The Cowboys were shocked when informed of what had happened on Monday.
Barba trained on Tuesday in what would be his final session.
“He had settled in really well, he was popular … and had been outstanding at training,” coach Paul Green said.
“He seemed happy in his new environment and everything was going well.
“There were absolutely no signs of any issues.”
The incident happened at Townsville’s Ville Resort-Casino. Cowboys supporters and the Rugby League Players Association backed the decision to axe Barba, saying violence against women could not be tolerated.
Association boss Ian Prendergast said Barba had returned to the NRL well aware that any behavioural issues would result in his deregistration.
“It appears his professional career in the NRL is now over,” Mr Prendergast said.
The scandal is just the latest off-season incident involving NRL stars, following aggravated sexual assault charges against Jarryd Hayne and Jack de Belin.
Furious Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter Beattie said that after a brilliant 2018 season, “off-field, it has been a train wreck for our fans” and “the game has to take a tough stand against domestic violence or it has no future”.
Barba and Ms Currie were high school sweethearts in Mackay and have been together for more than a decade.
Domestic Violence Prevention Centre boss Rosie O’Malley would not comment on the Barba case but said there were many reasons women stayed in violent relationships.
https://outline.com/N2qNX6
THE mother of Ben Barba’s four daughters has pleaded with the North Queensland Cowboys not to sack him over an alleged public domestic violence incident at a casino, where he allegedly hurled rocks at her.
The Sunday Mail can reveal Barba’s partner Ainslie Currie was reluctant for the Cowboys to punt the player once crowned rugby league’s best.
The Cowboys sacked Barba on Friday after the incident at Townsville’s Ville Resort Casino over the Australia Day weekend.
He is now set to be rubbed out of the NRL forever and could also be charged by police.
Ms Currie – who had a bloodied face after another alleged domestic violence incident with Barba in 2013 – is understood to have claimed the latest matter was private, and had concerns about her family’s financial stability without Barba’s income.
But the Cowboys immediately terminated Barba’s $300,000 contract after seeing CCTV footage of the incident.
The Sunday Mail can reveal the couple, who had spent more than seven hours at the casino with several Cowboys players and partners, caught a taxi moments after the incident.
It is understood police and the NRL’s integrity unit will investigate three alleged incidents including a heated verbal exchange in the pool area in front of hotel guests, several Cowboys players and their partners, an alleged physical clash inside the casino that was caught on CCTV, and an alleged clash in the car park before they got into the taxi.
Barba and Currie remain together, and were spotted having lunch the next day with their young family.
The Cowboys were shocked when informed of what had happened on Monday.
Barba trained on Tuesday in what would be his final session.
“He had settled in really well, he was popular … and had been outstanding at training,” coach Paul Green said.
“He seemed happy in his new environment and everything was going well.
“There were absolutely no signs of any issues.”
The incident happened at Townsville’s Ville Resort-Casino. Cowboys supporters and the Rugby League Players Association backed the decision to axe Barba, saying violence against women could not be tolerated.
Association boss Ian Prendergast said Barba had returned to the NRL well aware that any behavioural issues would result in his deregistration.
“It appears his professional career in the NRL is now over,” Mr Prendergast said.
The scandal is just the latest off-season incident involving NRL stars, following aggravated sexual assault charges against Jarryd Hayne and Jack de Belin.
Furious Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter Beattie said that after a brilliant 2018 season, “off-field, it has been a train wreck for our fans” and “the game has to take a tough stand against domestic violence or it has no future”.
Barba and Ms Currie were high school sweethearts in Mackay and have been together for more than a decade.
Domestic Violence Prevention Centre boss Rosie O’Malley would not comment on the Barba case but said there were many reasons women stayed in violent relationships.
https://outline.com/N2qNX6
broke
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Who knows, she might be a piece of work too. Only concerned about the pay cheque. I've known couples who are like kryptonite to eachother when they're drinking. When sober they're completely normal but when out having big nights things change. I'm just speculating obviously but I have known more than a few couples that are explosive when drink is involved.
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His actions are certainly no-where near those of the other guys, but he was still a dickhead.
I hope we avoid the dickheads going forward.
Minto
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Greeny interview about Barba:
https://www.foxsports.com.au/video/league/nrl/green-opens-up-on-barba-saga!717962
https://www.foxsports.com.au/video/league/nrl/green-opens-up-on-barba-saga!717962
https://amp.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/cowboys/banned-ben-barba-attempts-to-rebuild-his-life-as-a-truck-driver/news-story/f99f3ca6a7e5a292a4fca17ec7479070
Welcome to the real world.
Perhaps a hint of guilt from the bride in this story
It's sad he can't play Park footy, could of found some redemption in coaching & helping kids, now he's likely lost to the sport forever.
Oh well easy come, easy go
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Welcome to the real world.
Perhaps a hint of guilt from the bride in this story
It's sad he can't play Park footy, could of found some redemption in coaching & helping kids, now he's likely lost to the sport forever.
Oh well easy come, easy go
Sent from my F8331 using Tapatalk
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Paywall
Minto
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Banned Ben Barba attempts to rebuild his life as a truck driver
A shattered Ben Barba has begun a new career as a truck driver as the troubled rugby league bad boy attempts to recover from an NRL life ban following his sacking by the Cowboys.
The Courier-Mail can reveal Barba will return to the workforce on Monday, driving trucks in hometown Mackay in a desperate bid to pay the bills for his young family after having his Cowboys contract torn-up a fortnight ago.
Once rugby league’s No.1 player after winning the Dally M Medal in 2012, Barba has gone from an NRL star earning $500,000 to a blue-collar battler earning around $27.20 an hour — the average wage for an Australian truck driver.
Barba met with North Queensland’s welfare team on Wednesday to discuss his future as he plans to seek multifaceted professional help for alcohol abuse, anger management and relationship counselling.
Banned from also playing local league for Mackay, Barba is resigned to driving trucks with a view to one day securing more lucrative income working in the mines.
Barba had been preparing to make his Cowboys debut against St George Illawarra in the NRL premiership opener next month. Now he will trade fame and fortune for an honest day’s work driving the streets of Mackay.
Cowboys’ head of football Peter Parr said the club is trying to help Barba, partner Ainslie Currie and their four young daughters rebuild their life without a professional football income.
“Ben starts driving trucks on Monday and his longer-term goal is to work in the mines, so I hope he can turn things around,” Parr said.
“Ben’s welfare is still important to us.
“I’ve been in touch with Ben and he was in touch with our welfare manager the other day.
“We are going to help Ben wherever possible. At the end of the day, Ben is a human being with a partner and four young kids and we can’t just toss them out without any care.
“They are a young family and we feel we have a responsibility to help them — if indeed they want that help.”
Barba had his Cowboys contract torn up two weeks ago following an alleged altercation with Ms Currie at Townsville casino — prompting the National Rugby League to issue a life ban to the talented fullback.
Queensland police are still investigating the incident, but Currie is standing by Barba, who met with the Cowboys’ welfare unit amid fears he is sinking into depression.
Barba’s management says the sacked North Queensland fullback is picking up the pieces with the support of Currie, who has contacted the Cowboys asking for the father of their four daughters to be allowed to play local rugby league again.
Barba and Currie are high-school sweethearts from hometown Mackay. When Barba was crowned the NRL’s best player in 2012, she was there as a proud partner as the then Bulldogs ace received the prestigious Dally M Medal.
Now Currie has told family members she will stand firm as Barba prepares for alternative employment to put food on the table for their daughters Bodhi, Bronte, Blaise and Bobbi.
“Ben has had some dark days,” his manager Gavin Orr said.
“It may seem weird to some, but the person who is helping him through all this is his partner Ainslie.
“The family unit have been under a lot of stress, but they are still together.
“They are in Mackay at the moment. They can’t go back to the house they were renting (in Townsville) because of the floods, so they are living with family members in Mackay.
“Ainslie is standing by him. She feels bad about the whole episode. It’s a tough situation and they are trying their best to work through it.”
Orr said Barba accepts his professional sporting career is all but over, but was hoping to play local league in Mackay.
“Ben would like to play local football, but apparently the state leagues are following the NRL’s ban,” he said.
“Ben is looking into some counselling now. He’s doing some outpatient work and he accepts he has some issues with alcohol.
“All Ben can control now is getting a job and trying to support his family.”
In November, Barba told The Courier-Mail he planned to play league in Mackay after he retired from the NRL, but the Queensland rugby league ruled out any comeback.
“The QRL supports the NRL’s current position on the matter,” a spokesman said.
“While we have not received any formal request for Ben to play in Queensland, we can confirm the sanction imposed by the NRL will extend to all QRL competitions.”
A shattered Ben Barba has begun a new career as a truck driver as the troubled rugby league bad boy attempts to recover from an NRL life ban following his sacking by the Cowboys.
The Courier-Mail can reveal Barba will return to the workforce on Monday, driving trucks in hometown Mackay in a desperate bid to pay the bills for his young family after having his Cowboys contract torn-up a fortnight ago.
Once rugby league’s No.1 player after winning the Dally M Medal in 2012, Barba has gone from an NRL star earning $500,000 to a blue-collar battler earning around $27.20 an hour — the average wage for an Australian truck driver.
Barba met with North Queensland’s welfare team on Wednesday to discuss his future as he plans to seek multifaceted professional help for alcohol abuse, anger management and relationship counselling.
Banned from also playing local league for Mackay, Barba is resigned to driving trucks with a view to one day securing more lucrative income working in the mines.
Barba had been preparing to make his Cowboys debut against St George Illawarra in the NRL premiership opener next month. Now he will trade fame and fortune for an honest day’s work driving the streets of Mackay.
Cowboys’ head of football Peter Parr said the club is trying to help Barba, partner Ainslie Currie and their four young daughters rebuild their life without a professional football income.
“Ben starts driving trucks on Monday and his longer-term goal is to work in the mines, so I hope he can turn things around,” Parr said.
“Ben’s welfare is still important to us.
“I’ve been in touch with Ben and he was in touch with our welfare manager the other day.
“We are going to help Ben wherever possible. At the end of the day, Ben is a human being with a partner and four young kids and we can’t just toss them out without any care.
“They are a young family and we feel we have a responsibility to help them — if indeed they want that help.”
Barba had his Cowboys contract torn up two weeks ago following an alleged altercation with Ms Currie at Townsville casino — prompting the National Rugby League to issue a life ban to the talented fullback.
Queensland police are still investigating the incident, but Currie is standing by Barba, who met with the Cowboys’ welfare unit amid fears he is sinking into depression.
Barba’s management says the sacked North Queensland fullback is picking up the pieces with the support of Currie, who has contacted the Cowboys asking for the father of their four daughters to be allowed to play local rugby league again.
Barba and Currie are high-school sweethearts from hometown Mackay. When Barba was crowned the NRL’s best player in 2012, she was there as a proud partner as the then Bulldogs ace received the prestigious Dally M Medal.
Now Currie has told family members she will stand firm as Barba prepares for alternative employment to put food on the table for their daughters Bodhi, Bronte, Blaise and Bobbi.
“Ben has had some dark days,” his manager Gavin Orr said.
“It may seem weird to some, but the person who is helping him through all this is his partner Ainslie.
“The family unit have been under a lot of stress, but they are still together.
“They are in Mackay at the moment. They can’t go back to the house they were renting (in Townsville) because of the floods, so they are living with family members in Mackay.
“Ainslie is standing by him. She feels bad about the whole episode. It’s a tough situation and they are trying their best to work through it.”
Orr said Barba accepts his professional sporting career is all but over, but was hoping to play local league in Mackay.
“Ben would like to play local football, but apparently the state leagues are following the NRL’s ban,” he said.
“Ben is looking into some counselling now. He’s doing some outpatient work and he accepts he has some issues with alcohol.
“All Ben can control now is getting a job and trying to support his family.”
In November, Barba told The Courier-Mail he planned to play league in Mackay after he retired from the NRL, but the Queensland rugby league ruled out any comeback.
“The QRL supports the NRL’s current position on the matter,” a spokesman said.
“While we have not received any formal request for Ben to play in Queensland, we can confirm the sanction imposed by the NRL will extend to all QRL competitions.”
Mark O Mac
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Maybe when he’s done a few years of actual hard work, the park footy ban will fall away. For now, I wouldn’t want him anywhere near coaching and helping kids.
Mate, I'm a bit of a hard nut & not particularly forgiving, but really...... He could do so much for junior footy.
Kids would love him & imo he could offer so much as an example of what not to do, similar to wendall sailor when he got busted for coke possession. That's probably the difference between NRL & rugby
Nrl = reactive
Rugby = proactive
And I hate rugby (except 91 world cup)
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